Following the unearthing of Jammu and Kashmir multi-crore land scam, Ambala Cantonment Board (CB) CEO Ajay Chaudhary has been suspended.

Following the unearthing of Jammu and Kashmir multi-crore land scam, Ambala Cantonment Board (CB) CEO Ajay Chaudhary has been suspended.

Sources have informed that in a late October 1 night exercise, additional charge of CB has been given to defence estate officer (DEO) Kedar Marandi.

Chaudhary's name had figured in the land scam during his stint as DEO in Srinagar when no objection certificates were allegedly issued fraudulently to land mafia in respect of army's 200 acre prime land near sensitive army installations.

They said that Director General Defence Estates (DGDE) had finalised the orders of Chaudhary's suspension a fortnight back but the file was sent to Union defence minister AK Antony.

Beleaguered CEO has challenged the suspension order in Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), sources have added.

It may be recalled that Antony has ordered CBI probe into the scam.

Sources point out that Chaudhary's style of functioning had raised several eyebrows after his transfer from Srinagar in April 2010, when on several occasions he was in-charge as DEO and CB.

CB members had pointed out several irregularities when he spent huge amount of money in renovation of his official residence at Staff Road.

A retired air force officer had also sought information under RTI over the expenditure incurred on renovation.

Sources have informed that without permission from higher authorities, Chaudhary had shifted DEO office at 65 Napier road and the bills running into lakhs were held up for sanction.

Recruitment of cleaning staff during his term in Srinagar is also under scanner.

Earlier a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation from J&K had also met the Union defence minister alleging an organised land scam worth Rs 1000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir, involving defence and revenue officials in league with local politicians.

They had claimed that the scam was bigger than Sukna and Adarsh scam where army land was involved.